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American Electric Power customers in Ohio can expect a break on their electricity bill come 2015.

It may not be the same story for those who buy electricity from one of AEP’s competitors.

The power company said in a filing yesterday with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio that it expects rates to drop by as much as 9 percent over the three-year period beginning June 1, 2015. That would work out to be about $8 a month for a typical residential household that pays $112 a month for using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity.

For those who buy power from a competitor, AEP expects them to pay about the same for power over the three years as they are paying now.

The rates reflect the falling price of electricity in wholesale markets because of plentiful supplies and stagnant demand as the state transitions to a competitive market.

So far, about 30 percent of AEP Ohio customers have switched to other suppliers and the number is growing. AEP says those customers already may be benefiting from lower rates, and that is why they may not get a lower rate under AEP’s plan.

The changes that AEP wants to make are subject to PUCO approval.

“Filing our plan early allows AEP Ohio to share auction information with (competitive) providers and other interested parties so that consumer-benefiting programs and offers can be created,” said Pablo Vegas, AEP Ohio president and chief operating officer, in a statement. “This filing also fulfills the Commission’s objective for a full transition to market and continues AEP Ohio’s efforts to improve reliability, while lowering overall electricity costs.”

Even with the anticipated lower rates, they still will be too high, said Marty Berkowitz, a spokesman for the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel.

“There are 33 states that have residential electricity prices that are, on average, lower than electricity prices for consumers in Ohio,” he said. “Of the four major Ohio electric utilities, AEP is one of the two utilities charging the highest rates to customers.”

He said the office will review AEP’s proposal to determine if it is enough of a decrease.

“AEP has been slow, since a 1999 law, to sell electricity at prices that are based on the market price for electricity. The market price for electricity has been historically low in recent years, and AEP’s above-market rates have cost Ohioans a lot of money,” he said.

AEP also is asking for PUCO approval to continue with a charge that goes toward maintaining its operations. Currently, the cost runs about $2 or $3 a month for many residential customers, according to the company.

Finally, the company is seeking money that would allow it to create jobs under an initiative that would include hiring veterans. AEP has not specified an amount of money it is seeking, and any amount that would be approved likely would add a few cents a month to a bill.

AEP anticipates hiring about 150 workers in coming years, many who ultimately would replace workers who are expected to retire, including those who work on AEP’s power lines and poles. Flora said many veterans have the skills that AEP wants workers to have.

“It takes a lot of time for line mechanics to learn all the skills they need,” Flora said. “That’s not happening within six months or a year. It happens within a five-year period.”